Realistic or Modern Block Four

[Jaghasta]

Vivian gripped her coffee like a lifeline, downing about half the cup before she felt she could control herself. She wanted to scream at Roman, to rant about how it wasn't fair that they hadn't been informed when they took the job. She also wanted to ask if they were lab rats too, for all she knew this was some sort of scheme, to trick them into turning on people. Or Roman could simply be insane, whatever the case it certainly wasn't a topic to be discussed here. "We shouldn't talk about this here." Short, and perhaps a little rude, but Vivian didn't think she could say any more at the moment.


--


"To be honest darlin', I don't think any of us know why we're here. In case you haven't noticed, there seems to be a bit of a prison-wide amnesia streak." Alex pushed her breakfast tray out of the way and rested her forearms on the table, frowning at Grace. "Except for that psychopath Hero, who seems to have been here forever. Or at least that's what I've heard. But who's to say those guys don't deserve to be here. Any of us could deserve to be here, or we could just be here for some strange reason only the guards know about. Maybe we're all bipolar freakshows?"


--


Blaire's eyes lit up with delight at the chance to talk about something she knew about. "Chicago-style is a very deep dish pizza with all sorts of stuff inside the pizza that's so thick you have to eat it with a fork. It's made in this special dish and you have to stick metal rods in it so that it'll cook through, and it's the most delicious thing you will eat in your life. And Pizza Hut is just a pizza delivery place that's from America, but it's all over the place now." Blaire kept her negative opinions about Pizza Hut to herself, for fear of angering Daniel.

 

[cataleerc]

Grace was silent for a moment, assessing her words and speaking slowly, precisely. She did not want to fight with anyone here. "Then, why not ask one of them. The one in charge seems nice enough. Has anyone talked to him about it?"


--


Roman's steely gaze met Demetrio's slightly panicked one."What does it matter. The kid survived hell just to be thrown back in the pit without so much as pleasant memories to comfort him at night. All they know are these cold walls and sleepless nights." He ignored Vivian's comment. He'd kept this information secret for long enough. He would talk about this whenever and wherever he pleased. Perhaps this knowledge would open their eyes to the cruel ways in which they treated these undeserving people.


--


"It's not a problem. And don't go around telling people about this. I have a reputation to uphold, understand? Can't make people think I am a pushover or they will try to exploit me. Okay?" Azrael stared at the boy. He practically glowed with happiness, and if made her feel just a little big better about he'd predicament. She couldn't have done anything too terrible to end up here , right?


--


Daniel nodded. "Yep, she's pretty much got it covered, although I'm not too fond of Chicago-style pizzas. Too much cheese."


((Augh. One-liner. Forgive me.))

 

[Blakie13]

Demetrio was at a loss for words for a moment. I'm so going to hell for this... he thought to himself. He would try to keep this information in mind when he dealt with prisoners, but obviously it would be a substantial risk for him to do a complete about face in regards to personality. It remains to be seen how he will balance out knowledge and career in this. "It matters...because it matters. Please...tell me, amigo, please. I need to hear this," he replied to Roman, while looking at a blank wall, refusing to meet the other two's glances. The emphasis he had put in his phrasing, as well as the blush he felt colouring his cheeks, would most likely clue Roman in well enough. And at this point in time, Demetrio hardly cared.


--


"I won't tell a soul, mon amie! I can't thank you enough...Although I imagine you'll have to get Roman to give it to me himself...if a guard spotted you with it...I can't imagine that would end well. I hope I can remember how to play different pieces... I have no sheet music... But it matters little. You're my saviour," Bastien replied, smile beaming so bright it could be seen from space. Bad mood forgotten, he finally tore into his breakfast, not even caring that it had long since cooled.


--


Aurelio was stuck between being revolted by this American creation, or mystified. He was scared to even imagine all that grease and cheese and oils. Yet he could not die happy until he tried it. "So...this Chicago Style...It is good, si? When we get out of here, you have to take me with you to America, show me the magical land of Chicago Style, Pizza Huts, and Big Macs...Are there other styles of pizza I am unaware of? And how about American coffee? And desserts? Your food is a mystery to me..." he muttered, wondering if it was for the best he had never partaken in American food.

 

[Jaghasta]

Vivian sighed and stood up, gesturing with a sharp hand movement at the tables full of prisoners when she was sure Roman could see her. "Discuss what happened to Demetrio's crush later. When we're not in a room full of the people you don't want finding out about this." They were going to attract attention, and this didn't seem like something the prisoners (people, Vivian needed to start thinking of them as civilians) should be privy to. She definitely didn't want to get in trouble, she didn't know what would happen if she accidentally ruined the prison (lab) owner's test.


--


Alexis gave Grace a skeptical look. "And get thrown in solitary? He seems nice, but he's no pushover. If we start acting weird we'll be thrown in the pit by Ms. Vivian or Demetrio over nothing worse that looking at them wrong. Well, Demetrio at least. Vivian'll probably just give you that creepy-ass blank look and find something you actually did wrong to send you to solitary." Looking around, she lowered her voice slightly. "Plus, what if it's something over out heads? I mean I'm not one to indulge in conspiracy theories, but we've all god amnesia or something. What if mentioning it to a guard means that we have to get killed off or something?"


--


"What? I'm not American!" Blaire was honestly offended. She know she didn't have much of an accent, but to be mistaken as one of those pigs? "Plus American cuisine is all just fast food, stuff you can find everywhere. Cheeseburgers, hot wings, stuff from chain restaurants. They have no real cultural foods, so Britain has all their foods, plus some of our own."

 

[cataleerc]

Roman clenched his jaw, desperately trying to keep his demeanor calm. It would not do to start a shouting match about moral right now. As much as it pained him to admit, Vivian was right about this one thing. Their charges couldn't know what he knew. Demetrio and Asher certainly couldn't know either. They were part of the programme. He'd let this information slip in a moment of impaired judgement. He'd have to watch himself from now on. "She's right," Roman said, then turned and left the premise without another word.


--


Grace thought about it for a moment, pushing the watery eggs around on her plate. "Then, why don't we ask Hero? You said she's been around forever. Why as no one asked her about it?" Truly, the girl seemed absolutely bonkers, but it was worth a try, wasn't it? Maybe something had driven her to the point of insanity. She didn't seem like she'd always been crazy. Sometimes she even had her moments or clarity where she acted and even spoke like someone just trying to come to terms with her predicament. Maybe no one else noticed it, but Grace did.


--


Azrael's gaze hardened. "Who said anything about Roman? I don't whore around with the guards for favours. Nor do I associate with them on any terms. It's best not to jump to conclusions unless you want someone to teach you a very painful lesson." Of course, Roman was her accomplice, but she wanted to keep eyes away from him. If too many favours were asked, or if prisoners suddenly wound up with sugar in their cakes, he would face some serious repercussions. She did not want to be the reason for that. He was too nice for his own good. He would gladly give out free favours to everyone, so she kept them all in check.


--


Daniel nodded solemnly. 'The girl is right. It's difficult to find good food 'across the pond'. Keeping this figure was very difficult when there was fast food just across the street. See, Americans eat. All the time. They eat when they're happy, sad, lonely, bored, or even when they aren't hungry at all. This is why we all look like pigs. Well, I don't. But most do."

 

[Blakie13]

Demetrio watched Roman walk away, not really sure how to react. "Vivian...can you just shoot me and put me out my misery, because the world no longer makes sense..." he finally muttered to his companion, his head hanging resigned over the table. Now curiosity was going to eat at him until he knew the answers, but he wouldn't dare to pester Roman about it even more, lest he lose his job. If he still had a job after his slip up, that is. A crush on a prisoner. Roman could easily hold this over him, if he wanted. Same with Vivian, but Demetrio hoped their somewhat close companionship would mean a little mercy on her part. "What am I going to do..."


--


Even the Russian's anger couldn't put a damper on Bastien's spirits. "Oh, really? I just assumed a guard was the only way to get anything around here, and Roman seems like the nicest. Well, for a guard at least. My mistake, sorry. You know that English saying...to assume is to make an ass of you and me? Well consider me an ass. I'm just...so very happy. I let my mind become clouded by emotion. So...is it a cook? A maintenance crew member? Do you have a secret contact on the outside? Oh, sorry...I'll shut up now," he finished, blushing in embarrassment over his ramble, his accent flaring up during the ordeal. "Pourquoi est-Anglais si difficile?" He asked outloud, but more to himself than to his companion.


--


"American, British...all your food is the same to me, minus the fat content. But I understand that I offended you, amiga, and that is unforgivable. You have my most sincere apologies," Aurelio said, while smiling in a peace making manner. "To be fair though, your cultural foods, young Blaire, are strange...meat pies and puddings, pea soup...Scones are delicious, if I remember correctly, but so very very dry..." and Aurelio couldn't ever forget-no matter how hard he tried- the horror that was Marmite... "Fine. Take me to England and America. We can explore both places equally, si?" He questioned, smiling at his two companions, while simultaneously admiring the fact that Daniel was right; he was definitely not a pig.

 

[Jaghasta]

Vivian sat back down, giving the rest of her meal barely a glance as she pushed it towards Demetrio slightly, offering her uneaten toast. "Now you're going to finish your work for the day, and then we're going to ask Roman if we're subjects too." She waved a hand at the table where Aurelio sat. "After all, there's no way that's a coincidence."


--


Alex's face twisted up in disgust. "You'll have to do that alone then, I don't want that bitch anywhere near me. She tried to frame me for that stupid milk carton incident. She was standing next to me and she gets my attention and says 'hey, wanna see something?' all fuckin' cryptic-like and then she pulls out the milk carton! And when Vivian comes over to check us she shoves it down the back of my pants and I almost take the blame for her fuck up." Snorting derisively, Alexis stood up. "I'm done eating, I'm going back to my cell."


--


"Well scones are meant to be eaten with tea. And sure, we'll go to America and England. Can we also visit Spain? And wherever you're from, Daniel." Blaire was elated. She was not only holding a conversation without being a stuttering mess, but she was also invited to do something!

 

[cataleerc]

And so Grace was once again alone. What something wrong with what she said? It seemed every time she opened her mouth she ticked off another person. This was terrible. Had she really done something so terrible as to deserve this sort of treatment? She looked around, watching all of the other inmates laugh and joke around a table of half-eaten food. They were all so young. She was even older than most of the guards. Did she really belong here?


--


"I forgive you," Azrael relented, her face softening once more. She couldn't stay mad at him. He looked like a little kid who'd just been told he was getting a puppy. No one could stay mad at that even if they tried. "On the condition you teach me how to play this violin. Da?" She'd always wanted to learn to play an instrument. So why had she never learned? Was it a money problem? She thought so.


--


"I'm from the great US of A," Daniel crowed in mock pride for possible the worst country in the world. "And I lived in New York. I, well at least I think so," he frowned, slightly frustrated with himself. How could he forget his home state? Jesus Christ, this was no time to go senile.

 

[Blakie13]

"Oui!" Bastien exclaimed. "Well, so long as I remember how to play anything other than just chords, that is...I think I know Ave Maria..." he trailed off, a slight frown on his face. Why was his memory so fuzzy... "I think my mother taught me, but I could be wrong. But lessons would be a fun experience. Now...Now I learn the difficult art of patience," Bastien finished with a small laugh, knowing to expect the violin immediately would be a bit immature.


--


Demetrio looked in the direction of Aurelio and his companions. Vivian was probably right...no way that that was a coincidence. But I think I would remember a sibling...mother and father never mention one... All of this was giving him a massive migraine. "I'm not exactly hungry...Let's...let's just get to work, and survive the shift..." Demetrio sighed in reply, his tone one of resignation.


--


"Okay, I can understand myself, as a proud man of Spain, being in a French prison, and I suppose a Brit isn't too outrageous to raise eyebrows, especially if we are in Northern France, si? But how does an American end up here?" Aurelio questioned curiously. "And New York...that's the one with the big statue lady, yeah?" Aurelio's eyebrows scrunched together in concentration, trying to remember the name of the landmark. The name was there, he could feel it, but like every memory of the outside world and life before, it slipped through his mind like sand through his hands.

 

[Jaghasta]

The statue lady? Oh, I know what he's talking about. The name of the "statue lady" slipped from Blaire's mind, eluding her no matter how hard she thought. She knew she'd learned it in school. It was the statue of some highly american thing. Capitalism? Freedom? Liber-


"Oh! You mean the Statue of Liberty?"


--


Vivian stood up, grabbing her tray as well as Demetrio's and walking over to the trash can, placing the plastic bits on the shelf above it. After she returned, she frowned at Demetrio. "Do you know our shifts for today?" She'd known this morning but the conversation with Roman had her mind twisted up in knots, unable to think of anything else. The more she thought about it the more sense this place made, now that she had such a critical piece of the puzzle in her hand.

 

[cataleerc]

Azrael allowed a soft chuckle. "'Patience is a virtue I will never have,'" she replied quoting... someone. Obviously she wasn't going to remember any time soon, just like she wouldn't remember many things. She had given up trying to remember the past a long time ago. "Now, about that journal. How soon can I have it?"


--


"Don't ask me. I can't remember, so I'm not even going to bother making up a fantastical story because you wouldn't believe me anyway," Daniel huffed. He would do anything for an answer to that question. He'd even blow Demetrio if it promised an answer to any of his questions, really.

 

[Blakie13]

Bastien laughed a bit at Azrael's comment about patience. "As soon as breakfast is over, we can go get it from my bunk. So...I'd say you will be getting it pretty soon, mon amie." Bastien was still a bubbling ball of excitement, but it dulled a bit when he saw Demetrio and Vivian. The two of them looked like their mother had just been shot. Demetrio's expression was especially vacant.


--


Demetrio sighed. "I'm pretty sure we have bunk duty today. Joy," he said. It wasn't a terrible job, really. All they did was watch the inmates in the bunking area. It was mostly an issue because of the boredom involved. "Let's get going, then. Breakfast is almost over, and we need to be there before the prisoners are left to their own devices too long." Even as he said it, the idea of seeing all these people as dangerous inmates was a little sickening.


--


"Hmm...No fun. Really, this amnesia shit needs to go, si? It's terrible, truly!" Aurelio stated with all the flare and dramatics he could draw up from his soul. "And gracias, dear Blaire. That question would have been eating at me for the rest of the day if you hadn't said anything. Oh...it looks like breakfast is over. Free time, here we come! Daniel, how much effort do you think it would take to make that Bastien kid blush? I want to see how often I can get slapped today. Care to join? You can too, Blaire! Of course, you could watch the masters at work, if you don't feel like romance today," Aurelio finished with a wink as he stood up from the table.

 

[Jaghasta]

Blaire stood up too, rubbing the back of her neck nervously. "I-uh. I don't think Bastien exactly goes for...uh, my type. So I'll leave it to you." Plus, even if he did, he certainly wouldn't be interested in Blaire. No one was interested in her!


--


"At least it's not patrolling the halls." Vivian quite liked feeling her feet at the end of the day, and walking up and down long hallways that all looked exactly alike was quite possibly even more boring than watching the prisoners do nothing all day.

 

[cataleerc]

Daniel raised a doubtful brow. "Yeah, what makes you so sure? No one's ever been able to get a read on the guy. For all I've found out he might as well be into plants rather than people. But anywho, it's recess time! Shall we?" He offered an arm to each companion and lead them skipping back to the cells.


--


Azrael nodded a confirmation. "Da. In the mean time, it seems breakfast is over. Let's go get that journal." She rose from her seat, not waiting for Bastien as she made a bee-line for the cells, fingers itching to finally hold a pencil in her hands again.

 

[Blakie13]

"Plants, amigo? Nah...I bet he's into guys. Just look at the little cutie! No heterosexual male walks around looking that innocently seductive...Then again he did spend quite a bit of time with Azrael today...Hmm..." Aurelio pondered, as he walked along with the other two. "And Blaire, you can use this as a good way to learn to socialise with style! Or flirt, as the commoners say. You're so quiet most of the time, this'll help!" Aurelio exclaimed helpfully.


--


Bastien nodded in reply to Azrael, trying to keep up, and not quite realising she would not have seen his nod. When they finally arrived at the cells, he noticed that the majority of the prisoners were already here, along with the guards for the day, Demetrio and Ms. Vivian. "Azrael, follow me. My cell is this way," he said as he finally caught up to her. He led her towards his bunk, reaching under the pillow for the journal. "Here it is, mon amie. Uh, let me see if I can find a pencil or pen somewhere..." He said, handing her the journal and searching through his things.


--


"I guess I can agree with that sentiment, Vivian..." Demetrio said, watching as the prisoners began filing in. "This is going to be a long day, with what's coming, isn't it...?" He asked, sighing to himself. The only comfort he had was seeing the object of his affection for the rest of the day. Mierda... Vivian is going to hit me the moment she notices, I've slipped too far down the slope today.

 

[Jaghasta]

"I'm not very good at talking, if you haven't noticed. I kinda mess it up. Always." Blaire was frowning at this point. Whenever she talked, something happened to mess up her relationship with the person she was talking to. She didn't know how she knew that, but it sat there in her mind; the knowledge that the sky was blue, the grass was green, and Blaire sucked at social interaction.


--


Vivian side-eyed Demetrio, watching him mope about like a teenager with his first crush. "Where did this sudden attraction to that kid come from?"

 

[cataleerc]

"Bisexual, perhaps?" Daniel offered, casting a wicked grin in Blair's direction. "Oh, yes. You will get to learn from the masters today. Count yourself lucky, as this session will be free of charge. I'm feeling rather generous after such a fine breakfast." That was a joke. The breakfast was terrible, as always. Well, not terrible so much as repetitive and bland, the watery eggs lacking in salt and pepper, the toast in butter, and so on. Maybe this session could come with benefits, such as a spicy omelette, or bacon, or something tasty.


--


Azrael hovered outside Bastien's cell. She wasn't in the mood to break rules with Demetrio on watch duty. It would end in a fight, as always, with her in solitary for a good two weeks, and both of them with a broken bone of some sort. She was tough, but her bones might as well be made of glass. She practically snatched the journal out of his hand, fnning through the pages. The sweet, sweet scent of unused paper wafting up to greet her nose.

 

[Blakie13]

"Well, if he is bisexual, amigo, that just means we all three have a chance, if Azrael hasn't snatched him from our grasp!" Aurelio exclaimed happily. Aurelio was honestly cheered by the prospect of flirting with the young French male. He was petite, attractive, kind, and from the doodles he had seen, he was rather artistic. A nice, complete package, as far as Aurelio was concerned.


"Now, Blaire, don't be selling yourself short, amiga, you're adorable. You're just introverted is all, nothing to be done about that. This is just... a lesson for when you do feel social," Aurelio said kindly, walking in the direction he had seen Azrael and Bastien. He avoided Ms. Vivian and Demetrio, not exactly willing to be close to those two rather cold individuals.


--


Bastien grinned at Azrael's excitement. "Like I said, the first five or six pages have some random artwork. Do with it what you will, oui?" He knew it wasn't his greatest, just a few sketches of hazy memories. A tall, metal structure he vaguely recalled as the Eiffel Tower. A couple of portraits of people with no names he could remember. A vineyard or two. The ocean. Simple, foggy memories, preserved in graphite and ink.


He returned to scrounging for writing utensils, handing over a couple pencils and a pen to Azrael. "Cannot write without un stylo ou un crayon, no?" He questioned politely.


--


Demetrio sighed, putting his hand on the back of his neck. "It's not what I would call...sudden, I guess. Been a few weeks. I'm just...growing more into the infatuation, si? Which is why I slipped so badly today, I suppose... He first caught my attention when he came here. I couldn't figure out what someone like him-small, friendly, kind-was doing in a prison. So...I began watching him, waiting for him to slip up. Prove to me that he was a criminal. But he never did..." He trailed off, shaking his head.


He looked towards the boy's cell, slightly suspicious that Azrael was hanging outside of it. The two had apparently become friends or something today. Jealousy slunk its ugly way into his heart, but he tried his best to push it back.


"And so...with all that watching. I guess...a crush just...happened..." he finally finished, sighing in frustration.

 

[Jaghasta]

Blaire looked around the room, gaze lingering on the guards. "I guess I'll join you, but I don't really know how much I'll be talking. I think the two of you have that covered for me, anyways." She liked the guys she has been following, but they were so talkative. Blaire wondered how how their vocal cords hadn't simply shriveled up and fell off with the amount of gabbing they were doing. And how were they even going to manage speak with people as intimidating as Azrael and the guards loitering nearby.


--


"Well you know nothing's going to come of it. And Aurelio or Daniel are about to snatch him up even if Azrael hasn't already." Vivian gestured towards the threesome making their way to Bastien, the two men looking as smug and cheerful as ever. "Besides, we're just guards to them. We're faceless at best, monsters at worst." The guard knew that her inability to emote around people she distrusted and loose morals had gained her a reputation as a cruel bitch, she simply had no reason (or ability) to change it. Besides, she had no proof but they probably thought worse of Demetrio, he was actively cruel to the prisoners.

 

[cataleerc]

"Ah, introversion. You know, I used to be one of those," Daniel sighed, discussing his first month in the prison. "Those were dark times." He shook his head ruefully, struggling to keep a straight face. He scrutinized Azrael as they drew nearer. She was a cute little thing, someone he would definitely go for except for the fact that she was terrifyingly hostile to anything that breathed. So props to Bastien. He seemed to have cracked the code to taming the beast in a matter of minutes. He'd have to see if he couldn't pick up a couple tips from the boy.


--


"Da," Azrael agreed, clutching the notebook and the writing utensils close to her chest. She was so happy she thought her heart might burst. Today was truly wonderful. "Oh, I could just kiss you right now," she laughed, not even caring that what she had just said could be considered extremely rude, or worse, welcomed. She did not see him like that. He was just a nice boy in the wrong sort of place.